10 Fun Things to do in Seattle

I moved to Seattle in 2021 and have absolutely loved it here! There are so many fun things to do in Seattle whether you’re looking for the typical tourist spots or hidden gems that locals love. Here are 10 fun things to do in Seattle (but there are so many more!)

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Go on a Ferry Cruise

Seattle is a unique city geographically. Many of the different neighborhoods are separated by water and the city itself sits right on Puget Sound. While you can drive over bridges that connect them, where’s the fun in that? There are ferries and harbor cruises that run across the water offering iconic views and the chance to see whales and other marine life. You can even take ferries out to San Juan Island, Bainbridge Island, and even all the way up to Canada if you’d like!

Book Harbor Cruise tickets here

Dive Underground

In 1889 the Great Seattle Fire burned down the entire business district in what is now known as Pioneer Square. Instead of clearing the now ruined buildings and store fronts, the city decided to rebuild on top of the destroyed area. Now you can go into the underground tunnels and tour the store fronts and buildings from old Seattle! An underground tour is one of the most unique and fun things to do in Seattle.

There are two popular Seattle underground tours. The oldest and most popular Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour and Beneath the Streets Underground Tour. Different types of tours may be offered throughout the year including a Seattle ghost tour around Halloween and adult-centered tours that explore the city’s history with drugs, gangsters, and prostitution.

Explore a Museum

Having fun at a Horror Film exhibit at the MoPop

Seattle has over 40 museums! Some are definitely more popular than others, but my favorites include the Museum of Pop Culture, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Of course, I haven’t had a chance to visit every museum in the city just yet.

Notable museums in Seattle:

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) – A fun, interactive museum with changing exhibits on musical artists, popular films, and tv
Chihuly Garden and Glass – A museum and garden near the Space Needle featuring glass art from Dale Chihuly
Seattle Art Museum – A massive art museum with over 25,000 pieces of art ranging from classics from the greats, modern art, and sculptures
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture – A small but enjoyable natural history museum with opportunities to watch scientists at work
Seattle Pinball Museum – Exactly as it sounds! An interactive museum full of pinball machines and games

Drink up!

Seattle has dozens of breweries, cideries, and coffee houses. I highly encourage you to try some! The city definitely loves its IPA’s and craft beers, but cider houses and adorable coffee shops are abundant as well.

Notable Breweries, Cideries, and Coffee Houses:

Stoup Brewing – known for its porters and IPA’s
Urban Family Brewing Co. – known for its sours
Schilling Cider Co. – a cidery that carries its own as well as other popular pacific northwest ciders
Seattle Starbucks Reserve – where Starbucks coffee is roasted! Unique coffee items are offered here as well

Snack Through Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is definitely a must-visit bucket list location when in Seattle. One of the oldest continuously run markets in the United States, Pike Place is home to hundreds of vendors and specialty shops ranging from a farmer’s market with fresh produce, a world-famous fish market, comic books and collectibles, and specialty grocers. Be sure to catch the fishermen tossing the catches of the day to each other!

In addition to specialty vendors, the famous market has some of the best food in the city. You can easily spend a day snacking your way through the market, and there are even food tours that you can book!

Food to try in Pike Place Market:

Piroshky Piroshky – One of my all-time favorites, a bakery with delicious (can you guess?) piroshkies made fresh daily
Pike Place Chowder – Another favorite! Delicious, award-winning seafood chowder
Starbucks – the ORIGINAL, first ever Starbucks! (Honestly, just snag a photo of the sign and get your Starbies fix where there is less of a line)
Lowell’s – a sit-down diner overlooking the waterfront. Excellent brunch!
Le Panier – a French style bakery with stellar pastries and macarons

Hike, Camp, and Explore the Outdoors

One of the stereotypes of Seattle locals is that we’re all outdoorsy. It’s definitely true for a lot of us! Seattle has access to some of the most beautiful trails in the Pacific Northwest where you can hike mountains, see waterfalls, and explore the local forests and rainforests.

Best hiking spots around Seattle:

Discovery Park – 12+ miles of maintained trails, views of the water, and a stunning lighthouse
Washington Park Arboretum – an easy to walk area full of native trees, flowers, and wildlife. Best in wildflower season
Rattlesnake Ledge – a much more difficult hike with rewarding views, just outside of Seattle
Mt. Rainier National Park – trails of all difficulties around Seattle’s favorite mountain!

Even if you’re not up for hiking on your vacation, you can visit parks to enjoy spectacular views of Rainier and the Olympic mountains on a clear day. The best views and trails are outside the city limits but can be easily reached with a rental car. If you do not want a care for your entire visit, I suggest using one of the many Zipcars found around the city where you pay by the hour rather than the day.

Visit some Animal Friends

Having fun with the penguins at Woodland Park Zoo

This wouldn’t be one of my articles without pointing out where to see some animals! Of course, you are bound to see some wildlife on hiking trails, especially during the off-season when there are fewer people around. However, if hiking is not your thing, there are plenty of other fun places in Seattle to visit some animals.

Woodland Park Zoo – a large AZA-accredited zoo. A must-visit!
Seattle Aquarium – a stellar AZA-accredited aquarium
Neko Cat Cafe – a reservation-based coffee house with rescued, adoptable cats to snuggle
Martha’s Garden – an indoor dog park and bar. You don’t need a dog to come in and play!
Whale Tours – boat tours on Puget Sound to spot local whale pods
Ballard Locks Salmon Ladder – watch the salmon migrate and “climb” the ladder connecting fresh and saltwater where they spawn and lay eggs

Spot the Iconic Space Needle

Nothing is more iconic in Seattle than the Space Needle. Although it is far from the tallest building in Seattle, you can easily spot the Space Needle from nearly everywhere in the city. You can go up to the top and enjoy incredible views of the city as well as a rotating restaurant or enjoy the park below at the Seattle Center. The Space Needle is located directly next to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum as well as the MoPOP museum, allowing you to knock all three out in one day.

Book a Space Needle ticket here

Find the Best Donut in Seattle

Every Seattle local has had the debate: which local bakery or coffee shop has the best donut? My personal favorite is Top Pot, a local donut and coffee chain found throughout the city. You may disagree! (I won’t be too offended).

Some notable donut spots include:

Top Pot Donuts (my personal favorite!) – great coffee and donuts. The location in the Denny triangle has the largest selection.
Mochinut – unique mochi donuts and bubble tea
Mighty-O Donuts – tasty vegan donuts!
Daily Dozen Doughnut Company – unique mini donuts in the heart of Pike Place Market

Get a Unique Photo Op

The Pike Place Market gum wall is one of the most unique spots in Seattle!

Seattle definitely has some unique Instagram-worth spots.

The Gum Wall – A corridor in Pike Place Market completely covered in gum. Kind of gross but makes for an awesome photo!
The Fremont Troll – A funny cement troll living under the Fremont Bridge
Street Art – Seattle decriminalized street art and graffiti in certain areas, allowing artists to do what they do best!

Bonus: Cheap and Free Fun Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is known for being a fairly expensive city to live in and visit. However, like many large cities, there are quite a few cheap things to do as well as ways to get discounted tickets for popular attractions.

Use Public Transportation

Ok, I know the bus and the light rail systems aren’t exactly tourist attractions (though you might see some interesting things!). However, they are a great way to save money. Tourist public transportation passes are far cheaper than ordering Ubers or other rideshares, and they go pretty much everywhere in the city. Google Maps will show you exactly where to catch the bus as well as which bus to take and when it will arrive.

Seattle Free Museum Days

Many of the popular museums around Seattle have a day every month with free admission. You will have to look into each museum individually, but they usually fall on either the first or third Thursday of the month. Some museums are always donation based, allowing you to visit for free or for a small donation. These include the Frye Art Museum, the Klondike Gold Rush Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Use a Library Card

If you are a local, or know a local, the Seattle Public Library has access to free tickets to nearly every popular attraction around the city! You may need to reserve them well in advance, but free is free!

Get a Seattle City Pass

Using a city pass saves you about 50% off of entrance fees if you plan on visiting multiple attractions. The pass covers entry to the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and three of the following: Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Museum of Pop Culture, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Definitely worth it!

Book a Seattle City Pass here